Viking Wirral and the Draken Harald Fairhair Viking Longship Project Liverpool Victoria Rowing Club, January 2012
Stephen Harding The Draken Harald Fairhair Project 2009 - The Draken Harald Fairhair : aim to recreate a ship – the largest ever reconstruction with the superb seaworthiness that characterized the Viking age
• Excellent sailing characteristics of ocean going ships • Warships usage of oars • “25 sesse” – 25 pairs of oars, 2 men to an oar • 35 metres long – half a football pitch – 8 metres wide Many reconstructed vessels have been based on the Gokstad (~AD850) at the Oslo Skiphuset The Viking , Chicago, 1893 – 2/3 replica crossed the Atlantic Odin’s Raven - Manx Millenium, 1979 Magnus Magnusson 1929-2007 The Gaia, late 1980’s – also crossed the Atlantic A recent project has also focused on a replica of the Oseberg ship (~AD800), also at the Skiphuset… ..Oseberg replica (2009)
..built by Per Bjørkum who wanted to show that the Oseberg ship was seaworthy! ..another was based on Skuldelev 2, a warship at Roskilde (dated to ~1050 and built in Dublin) ..reconstructed in 2004 as the “Sea Stallion”
Photo Michael Borgen The Draken Harald Fairhair – largest ever reconstruction Thingwall – Þingvollr
http://www.nottingham . ac.uk/ - sczsteve/BBCRadio4_20May08.mp3 Tranmere - Tranmelr
Vikinggg genes in Northern En gland pro ject
Part 1 - Wirral and West Lancashire (2002-2007)
Part 2 - North Lancashire, Cumbria and N. Yorkshire (2008- 2012) We have also been testing in Scandinavia Sigurd Aase, Haugesund
… also Patron of the Draken project! Sigurd – and Marit Synnøve Vea: Project Leader Terje Andreassen: another Project Leader
Turi, Mark, Marit, and Harald Løvvik Heading off to Karmøy Viking Village
Harald Hårfagre – and Gyda Hafrsfjorden – site of the famous victoryyy by Harald Hårfagre
June 2010: Sigurd agrees to the Draken coming to Wirral on its maiden voyage, 2013! Hjortspring Boat ~ 300BC - suggested reconstruction Nydam oak boat, Southern Jutland ~ 400 AD. Rowlocks for 30 oars on either side (Schleswig-Holstein museum) Gokstad ~ 850AD (Sandefjord) Drawing of the Gokstad ship, bow to the left – Steering paddle at the stern on the starbord (styrbord) side Askekärr boat ~ 1000AD (Gothenburg)
Skuldelev 2 (~1055) From drawings on stonework…
Hunninge Klinte stone, Gotland From drawings on stonework…
Tjän gvide ston e, Gotland From other old drawings… From the sagas…
Men will quake with terror Ere the seventy sea-oars Gain their well -earned respite From the labours of the ocean. Norwegggian arms are driving This iron-studded dragon Down the storm-tossed river Like an eagl e w ith w ings bea ting Snorri Sturluson: King Harald’s Saga Egil Skallagrimsson… -Icelander who fought at Brunanburh
My mother once told me She’d buy me a longship, A handsome -oared vessel To go sailing with Vikings: To stand at the stern-post And steer a fine warship, Then head back for the harbour AdhAnd hew down some foemen. Snorri Sturluson: Egil’s Saga To a Viking, his ship was …
“an oar steed” “horse of the breakers” “surf dragon” “fjord elk”
… and much more Measuring up! Terje finds the oak of his dreams…
Spring 2010 …
Arne-Terje Saether – constructing the ribs of the boat July 2011…
September 2011… One or two missing pieces… Boni Wiik – designer of the Draken head Inspecting the finest silk for the 300m2 sail What happens now?
• March/April: Terje visits Wirral – site for mooring chosen • Spring 2012: Training for oars-people steps up! • June 2012 – May 2013: experiment with rigging, sailing, rowing • The maiden overseas voyage 2013 • Prepare for the arrival in Wirral Maiden Voyage 2013 - plan
Maiden Voyage 2013 - plan Special thanks to!
• Jim Bibby and colleagues at Liverpool Victoria • Andy Bonner at Granada & Lorna Hughes , NEWS • Nick Jedynakiewicz at Royal Mersey Yacht Club • Susan Hanley-Place and Geoff Hanley of the ZEBU • Steve Gallimore at Peel Holdings • Wirhalh Skip Felag & Friends of Meols Park • All volunteer oarspeople! Thanks to Andy Bonner & colleagues at Granada Latest – follow Wirral News blog link on http: //www.no tting ham.ac.u k/-sczsteve